Although test has always been thought of as a necessary evil, in reality it is the single best way to ensure that a product meets the needs of your customer. Throughout the development process test is used to reduce the risk that the design, theory, and final product, reality, are as close to each other as possible. The SMTA Testability Guidelines TP-101E were developed by various Task Forces, each concentrating on its own discipline. The work of the various Task Forces is featured as separate chapters. The Guidelines were intended to assist the reader in dealing with the testability considerations that need to go into the design, development, and test of a product.

The 2014 SMTA Testability Guidelines were constructed by several groups of test and testability professionals. It was a partial updating of the 2008 SMTA Testability Guidelines. This latest version features revised sections on Probing and Fixturing including bead probe technology, Vectorless Test and Fixturing including the IEEE-1149.8.1 criteria, X-Ray Inspection, and Boundary Scan. While other chapters remained pretty much unchanged, known errors and critical changes were made as needed. Also, many of these chapters had some new guidelines added and when warranted some guidelines eliminated.

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Being a member of the SMTA is not just a form of job security, but it is "career security." As a member, you take the friendships, network, and resources of the SMTA with you wherever you go. The SMTA is a family. A family works to help each other out. That's what families do.Steve GreathouseSr Staff Microelectronics Engineer, Plexus